Towards a European Chemicals Information System: a survey on reported monitoring activities of chemicals in Europe

This report presents the outline and results of a project which collected information on monitoring activities in the 32 EEA member countries. In addition, a framework is proposed on the potential structure of a multi-purpose European chemicals information system where a database on monitoring activities would constitute one element. The system could be used as a tool in support of EU chemicals and environmental legislation.

The need for setting up a multi-purpose European chemicals information system that can be used as a tool in support of the current legislation of chemical substances within the EU has been expressed by various stakeholders within the EU. A database on monitoring activities in Europe is one of the elements of a chemicals information system. This report gives an overview of the approaches and the results of a project aimed at collecting information on monitoring activities in the 31 countries associated with the European Environment Agency, and Switzerland (

1).

The information obtained is gathered in a database that is made available for outside users. The main finding of the study is that, with the exception of the air compartment, the information obtained on monitoring in the various environmental compartments across Europe is to be classified as patchy in nature. The background to this observed lack of information is manifold. In some countries the data are simply not available, while in other countries cooperation was insufficient. Also, in some countries the information is available but a more coordinated action at the national level is needed to gather the information. Thus, further efforts will be needed to complement the information in the database. The current information in the database is recommended for use as a tool to promote further cooperation with respect to lacking data.

In addition to reporting on the contents of the information collected, an outlook is given on potential applications of the database structure and the information collected.

Related articles

Biochemical & Molecular Biology laboratory at Nîmes University Hospital
The Biochemical & Molecular Biology laboratory at Nîmes University Hospital has four main activities: the Biochemistry, Hormonology, Biological Oncology and General Toxico-Pharmacology sectors, for both routine and emergencies; the Toxicology and specialized and forensic Pharmacology sector; the Molecular Genetics sector (somatic oncogenetics, neurogenetics, constitutional pharmacogenetics) and finally a delocalized...

With depressed freight rates and overcapacity of shipping on lucrative trade routes, most shipping companies across the world are now practicing "slow steaming" operations. Operating the main "two-stroke" engines at 40-60% of their nominal output results in dramatically lower fuel costs but at high risk of cylinder cold corrosion if lubrication is not carefully managed. Adding to the complexity is the recent expansion of low sulfur emission control areas (SECA) on the most profitable trade routes, requiring ship...

A new grind and inject (G&I) facility was recently completed for Hilcorp at Milne Point in northern Alaska. The geotechnical consultant for the facility brought BeadedStream on-board for monitoring purposes related to the unique thermal environment of the G&I structure’s foundation.
Problem
Relatively warm drilling fluid (~50° F) is a primary issue in G&I applications in that it would offload to a subgrade wash pit less than a foot above ice-rich permafrost. The potential for ground thaw...

Cook Inletkeeper is a community-based nonprofit organization that combines advocacy, education and science toward its mission to protect Alaska’s Cook Inlet watershed and the life it sustains. The Cook Inlet watershed is the most populated and fastest-growing region in Alaska; it is also home to the state’s renowned wild salmon runs, some of which are at great risk due to climate and land-use change. Cook Inletkeeper has documented warm water in local salmon streams since monitoring began in 2002,...

In recent years, mercury levels in the environment and in the food chain have risen substantially mainly due to human activities. As a long-range pollutant it can affect areas located thousands of kilometers away from its original source of emission. It’s no wonder then that the regulatory pressure to monitor mercury emissions grows stronger. Before diving into the analysis techniques and application areas of mercury let us first remind ourselves what mercury exactly is. Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal,...

Customer comments

No comments were found for Towards a European Chemicals Information System: a survey on reported monitoring activities of chemicals in Europe. Be the first to comment!

Add your comment

Great! comment successfully added!

Contact

Your message:

Your email

Your first name

Your last name

I would like to receive periodic email updates and special offers from select suppliers.